It is hard to believe that in 1994 I started my journey down the road to my financial services career. I remember the moment that I decided I was going to work in finance. I had just been told by an insurance company representative who I interviewed with that I was "cute and all," but he didn't think that I would do well in the job because I was a woman. I was stunned. I remember thinking, my new goal was to prove this guy wrong.
It wasn't the last time comments about my gender were made, one man was so bad that I almost pressed charges. Instead, I changed jobs. I never looked back, but I was always cautious around the other gender. I even had one potential colleague accuse me of hating men. It was a totally untrue statement, but my guarded personality created that perception.
Some of those memories recently surfaced as I watched the amazing number of women posting on Facebook and Twitter under the
#MeToo movement. When I started looking at the ages of these women, I was even more disappointed. How is this still going on in today's world? Some of these amazing and intelligent women are in their 20s!
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Not long ago I had a conversation with my mom about this topic. She is in technology and I'm fully aware of some of the harassment she has endured. She confirmed that it is still happening, regardless of age. As we talked about this topic and how rampant it seems to be in both of our industries, we realized it's not just our industry, but even in areas where we perceive women have a great deal of influence. How many women have made claims against Harvey Weinstein? I'm not one to say guilty before proven guilty, but there is no question that this type of behavior and perceived influence needs to be stopped!
The recent headlines drive home my desire to speak out about this topic and to help those who are still experiencing this unacceptable behavior. It makes me extremely grateful that I volunteered to be on the diversity committee for XY Planning Network. This group was formed by all volunteers, members of XY Planning Network with a stated mission to "lead the industry by attracting, supporting, and developing a diverse group of financial planners so our community can embrace our differences and make us all more knowledgeable, more accepting, and better people."
This isn't just lip service. At this year's annual conference in August, the group's new Code of Conduct (COC) was highlighted during the founders' opening remarks as a core belief of the organization and its membership. As the group grows, it is critical that every non-member who interacts with the membership, and all new members who join, understand that any type of harassment will not be accepted.
Harassment isn't an easy thing to prove, but the first step in stopping it is making it clear that the culture doesn't permit it, which is what Michael Kitces and Alan Moore did by delivering such a strong stance at the conference opening, reading from the code: "Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without refund at the discretion of the conference organizers."
They want to create a culture where everyone feels comfortable. Alan Moore specifically stated, "If harassment happens at a conference, the individual isn't likely to come to another one. This keeps the industry unbalanced, the connection with other financial advisors is then broken. I doubt many connect the two, but I've certainly seen it and it makes me angry."
(More: It's time to speak up about sexual harassment in the workplace)
Some have asked, why was this so meaningful to me and the committee? How can it not be? One reporter asked me if I had ever witnessed it within the XY Planning Network, and the answer is no. But I'm certainly glad the behavior was called out as clearly unacceptable. By doing that, there is no question that if it happens to anyone, they have some rights! Unfortunately, many times victims feel like if they say anything, they are going to be subject to scrutiny. Isn't that what we are watching happen now with the Harvey Weinstein case? How about the Bill Cosby case? And I remember clearly the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill case. In my opinion, all these public cases create fear of being the victim all over again.
Being involved with an organization that sets the tone at the top, gives me great comfort that if I ever experience harassment, then someone will have my back. Why wait for something to happen and then react? Why not be proactive and make sure everyone knows the expectations and the consequences for any bad behavior or offensive comments?
Having sat on the diversity committee, I've heard so many stories of both gender and race discrimination. The committee has received mostly favorable feedback on the COC, but there is a need for more conversation and understanding. I've had a number of conversations where someone doesn't believe that discrimination still happens, yet clearly that's not true.
None-the-less, through the XY Planning Network we now have a voice. We have an opportunity to speak out against such ridiculous behavior. We have an opportunity to start a movement within the industry, one where gender and race are embraced, where we learn from each other through understanding and education. One where we don't assume that we are trying to be offensive to each other, and we don't accept deliberate harassment.
Let the recent attention to this issue be a call to action for you. If you have never been discriminated against, support those who have. If you see it, be brave and step in. Be a mentor or supporter to other genders and races. Help them avoid being victims. Together as an industry, if we all buy into this concept, we can see the industry reflect the public.
Amy Irvine is the founder of Irvine Wealth Planning Strategies and a member of the XY Planning Network's diversity committee.
